WEST Midlands Police has been dragged into an MP bugging row amid claims an officer was asked to eavesdrop on a meeting between a terror suspect and his solicitor.

WEST Midlands Police has been dragged into an MP bugging row amid claims an officer was asked to eavesdrop on a meeting between a terror suspect and his solicitor.

Former policeman Mark Kearney said he was put under pressure by an officer from the force to listen in to the pair's legally privileged conversation during a prison visit.

The retired sergeant is already in the spotlight over claims he recorded Labour MP Sadiq Khan during a meeting at Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes, last December.

In documents obtained by BBC's Newsnight, Mr Keaney, who was an intelligence officer at Woodhill, revealed details of the second incident.

"I had continual pressure from a West Midlands Police officer in relation to a recording of a legal visit between a suspected terrorist inmate and his solicitor," he said.

"I told him this type of activity was rare and it would need authorisation at the highest level. He assured me that this was possible and asked me to tell him if it was technically feasible.

"I made some checks and informed him that it was."

Mr Kearney said he told the officer he would be "reluctant" to bug the meeting, as it would undermine the process of legal visits at the prison.

The details of the request were contained in detailed defence documents prepared for an unrelated case in which Mr Kearney is fighting allegations he leaked information to a newspaper. Justice Secretary Jack Straw has now launched an inquiry into the claims surrounding Mr Khan.

Mr Kearney claims he was pressurised by the Metropolitan Police to bug the meeting between the Tooting MP and his constituent Babar Ahmad, who is being held at Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes.

A police spokesman said: "The Justice Secretary has announced there is to be an inquiry into allegations concerning covert recordings at Woodhill Prison. West Midlands Police will be fully cooperating with any inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further."